Rick Astley has announced he’s releasing a new album later this year, and he’s heading out on an arena tour of the UK to celebrate.
It may have been 36 years since the iconic singer-songwriter from Newton-le-Willows first shot to fame with his massively-popular 1987 hit song ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ – but Rick Astley is arguably a more prominent force in popular culture now than he ever has been before.
Over the past couple of years, it seems the 57-year-old has been amassing new fans left, right, and centre, all thanks to on-stage performances with the likes of US rockers Foo Fighters, or beloved Manchester bands Take That or Blossoms, and claiming the strongest run of album chart positions of his entire career.
After having become an unlikely social media sensation since the turn of the 21st century, Rick says he’s been “simply embracing the unending love” from all his enthusiastic supporters.
And now, the popstar is ready to make his fans’ days after announcing a new album and UK tour.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rick Astley announces new album and massive Manchester gig on UK tour arena tour / Credit: Rick Astley (via Facebook)
Rick’s long-awaited ninth studio album, titled Are We There Yet?, is set to be released out into the world on 6 October 2023, and to give people a taste of what’s to come, the first single off that album, ‘Dippin My Feet’, is out today.
But the new album isn’t all that fans of the Lancashire legend have to look forward to, as Rick says “the road ahead remains open for further exploration”, and so has today revealed details of a major UK headline tour starting later this year and drawing to a close in early 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rick Astley – UK Tour Dates 2023/24
2023
Wednesday 1 November – Royal Albert Hall (London)
Thursday 02 November – Royal Albert Hall (London)
2024
Thursday 22 February – Motorpoint Arena (Nottingham)
Friday 23 February – Utilita Arena (Newcastle)
Saturday 24 February – First Direct Arena (Leeds)
Monday 26 February – Cardiff International Arena
Tuesday 27 February – OVO Hydro (Glasgow)
Thursday 29 February – Bournemouth International Centre
Friday 1 March – Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Saturday 2 March – AO Arena (Manchester)
Two prestigious dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall will kick-off Rick’s UK tour this November, followed by a series of massive arena dates nationwide.
ADVERTISEMENT
The tour will culminate with a huge homecoming gig at the AO Arena here in Manchester on Saturday 2 March 2024.
Speaking ahead of the release of his new album, Rick said: “The phrase ‘Are We There Yet?’ has multiple meanings. Are we there yet in my musical ambitions? Am I done with my career? Have we arrived? Or are we still travelling?”
He admits the new album and accompanying singles are Americana-influenced.
“It’s definitely not country, but I’ve never twanged a guitar as much as I have in the past couple of months,” Rick continued.
“And there’s a bit more emotion with those guitar parts. I just think spending five months in America has retuned my ear a little bit.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The legendary singer-songwriter is heading out on a massive UK arena tour / Credit: Supplied
Rick Astley’s ninth studio album ‘Are We There Yet?’ is now available to pre-order here.
Fans who pre-order before 7pm today (20 June), will receive access to a pre-sale for tour tickets – which opens at 9:30am tomorrow (21 June) and will remain live until remaining tickets go on general sale from 9:30am this Friday (23 June).
Robbie Williams announces extra Manchester date next summer following ‘huge demand’
Danny Jones
British pop royalty Robbie Williams has just announced another massive Manchester date coming next summer after a “huge” ticket scramble for the first date.
The former boy band favourite turned chart-topping solo star is back at the forefront of the public consciousness once again after revealing the trailer for his upcoming biopic that has caught plenty of people’s attention.
Set to release on Boxing Day 2024, we think it’s fair to say this is no ordinary retelling of a famous musician’s career as it will see Williams reimagined as a CGI monkey, with Robbie lending his voice for the singing and narration sections.
As if that recent unveiling wasn’t eye-catching enough, the 50-year-old has followed it with the sudden announcement of a huge European tour, where it has now been confirmed that songs from the Better Man film will be played along with some new music “coming soon.”
Due to huge demand, the mighty @robbiewilliams has just announced a second date here at Co-op Live, 10 June 2025.
Unsurprisingly, the first Manchester show sold out in a flash. Sharing details of what will now be 30 sensational dates, Robbie said in an official statement: “This tour is going to be my boldest yet – I can’t wait to see you next year.”
He also went on to add, “There will be songs from the movie Better Man and some new music too…but more on that soon.”
Although it’s unclear whether this is the first hint at what would be his 13th studio LP, with previous records including everything from the bread-and-butter pop that made him a household name, to swing, old-world big band covers and even a Christmas album.
Williams’ last outing was the XXV greatest hits compilation album, marking 25 years of his highly successful solo career since leaving fellow 90s icons Take That, who he returned to for a short spell after 15 years back in 2010 before parting ways once again.
He’s also roped in some Northern help from none other than Leigh’s very own The Lottery Winners for all dates but one, meaning the Manc vibes will be immaculate. Huge for the much-loved local band.
Known for his legendary live shows, Robbie Williams is considered one of the UK’s greatest entertainers of all time and previously held the Guinness World record for feats such as selling more than 1.6 million tickets in a single day, not to mention playing to over 375,000 across three nights at Knebworth.
Put it this way, this second show will be in just as high demand as the first and will sell out quicker than you say ‘Rock DJ’.
Now set to play Manchester and make his Co-op Live debut on 10 and 11 June, fans can secure early access to tickets for the ‘Live 2025’ tour by pre-ordering the Better Man movie soundtrack or by downloading the Co-op Members app.
General admission for Robbie Williams’ Manchester dates and all other UK and Ireland gigs are already live so you best be quick about it.
Given his connection to this city, this is as close to a homecoming show as you’re going to get until he headlines Stoke one of these days, so you don’t want to miss it. Grab your tickets HERE.
Hacienda Classical announces record-breaking show at Castlefield Bowl next summer
Emily Sergeant
Hacienda Classical is set to make yet another triumphant return to the historic Castlefield Bowl next summer.
Manchester’s iconic celebration will mark its record-breaking ninth appearance at the Sounds of the City festival when it arrives in the city centre next July, and will once again be captivating local audiences and travelling fans alike.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the groundbreaking musical project, Hacienda Classical fuses a unique blend of classic dance tracks and orchestral arrangements, with the unmatched spirit of the legendary Hacienda, garnering rave reviews from critics and fans along the way.
Resident DJ Graeme Park carefully curates a selection of iconic anthems from the late 1980s and early 1990s, which are then reimagined with orchestral arrangements by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra.
The not-to-be-missed experience featuring powerful vocals and special guests has sold out multiple shows at prestigious venues worldwide.
At next year’s Castlefield Bowl date, the voice of M People, Heather Small, will join the show, along with house legends K-Klass performing a full live set, while DJ Paulette and Tom Wainwright also join as resident DJs for the night.
Curator Graeme Park will also take to the decks before the show too.
“I am already beyond excited that Hacienda Classical is returning to Castlefield Bowl in the heart of Manchester for the ninth time,” Graeme Park said.
“No other live act has performed so many times at this superb outdoor venue and it’s an honour to be part of this incredible journey that is now a major highlight in my diary and yours too. I can’t wait to bring the love next July.”
Hacienda Classical returns to Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl on Saturday 5 July 2025, and tickets officially go on general sale this Friday (8 November) at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
20th June 2023 
